Curriculum Structure (2016/17)

Introduction

The National Curriculum for England at key stages 3 and 4 was first published by QCA in 2007, and implementation in schools started in September 2008. This has been superseded by the new national curriuculum which came into effect September 2014. It was developed to enable schools to raise standards and to help all their learners meet the challenges of life in our fast-changing world.

Purposes

The statutory curriculum should establish an entitlement for all children and promote high standards.

What is statutory?

The national curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age in community and foundation schools, including community special schools and foundation special schools, and voluntary controlled schools.

Key stage 3 (Years 7-9)

The statutory subjects that all pupils must study at key stage 3 are art and design, citizenship, design and technology, English, geography, history, information and communication technology, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, physical education and science. The teaching of careers education, sex education and religious education is also statutory.

Key stage 4 (Years 10-11)

The statutory subjects that all pupils must study at key stage 4 are citizenship, English, information and communication technology, mathematics, physical education and science. The teaching of careers education, sex education, work-related learning and religious education is also statutory.

What is not statutory?

The curriculum also includes non-statutory programmes of study for:

religious education, based on the Framework for Religious Education

personal wellbeing, which includes the requirements for sex and relationship and drugs education

economic wellbeing and financial capability, which includes the requirements for careers education.

Pupils are taught on a weekly timetable made up of 30 x 50 minute lessons or periods. There are six 50 minute periods in a day. Some lessons are taught in a single 50 minute period and others in double periods (2 x 50 minute periods). Some lessons are fixed and are the same all year whereas others are part of a carousel. This means pupils rotate half-termly providing them with the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects.

When pupils start in Year 7 they are placed in a tutor group (sometimes referred to as form group). Most of the lessons are taught in form groups in Year 7. Some setting takes place and by the time the pupils reach Year 9 they are rarely taught in forms. * indicates where setting takes place.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Subject

No of periods

No of periods

No of periods

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Religious Education

3

3

3*

English

3

4

4*

Maths

3*

3*

3*

Science

3

3*

4*

Art

1.5

1

1.5

Dance

0.5

0.5

~

Drama

0.5

0.5

~

French

2

2

1.5*

Food Tech

~

1

1

Geography

2

1.5

2*

History

2

1.5

2*

ICT (Information and Communication Tech)

1

1

1

L2L (Learn to Learn)

1

~

~

Library

1

~

~

Music

1.5

1.5

1.5

PE

2

2

2

PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)

1

1

1

Spanish

~

1

0.5*

Textiles

1

1

~

Technology

2

1.5

2

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Subject

Year 10

Year 11

Core Subjects#

Religious Education

3*

3*

English

4*

4*

Maths

4*

4*

Science

6*

6*

PE

2

2

PSHE/CEG (Careers Education and Guidance)

2

2

Options#

3 x 3

3 x 3

Art

Computer Science

CoPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness)

Drama

French

Geography

﻿﻿

History

Music

Nutrition and Food Preparation

PE

Spanish

Technology

*setting takes place
#New information will be posted following the year 9 options events - February 2017